COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket across the United States, and one of the states that have been the most impacted by the novel coronavirus is the sunshine state. Nationally, it’s reported that 12 million Americans are bracing to lose their jobless benefits one day after Christmas if the House does not come to an agreement on a COVID-19 relief bill.
For the better part of the second half of 2020, Republicans and Democrats were gridlocked on a response. This caused President Trump (R) to intervene, calling for lawmakers to solely vote on providing financial support for Americans, or a stand-alone stimulus funding bill. However, this also proved to not be productive as House Democrats were vying for additional funding that Republicans could not agree with.
In turn, a COVID-19 relief bill has not been passed, and now Florida Democrats are slamming the inaction from lawmakers at a time when Americans need it the most.
Taking to Twitter to voice her frustration, Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D) warned that “it’s been 8 months since we passed a COVID bill,” adding that “since then, the virus has worsened & many Floridians have lost their jobs.” Moreover, “if Congress can’t put partisan & political posturing aside to help families & businesses in need, we will have fundamentally failed the American people.”
It’s been 8 months since we passed a COVID bill. Since then, the virus has worsened & many Floridians have lost their jobs. If Congress can’t put partisanship & political posturing aside to help families & businesses in need, we will have fundamentally failed the American people. https://t.co/e78poJbDWR
— Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) November 20, 2020
This week also saw Governor DeSantis (R) provide an update to Floridians regarding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans along with the therapeutic treatments that are being offered for Floridians stricken by the novel coronavirus.
Florida Democrats have sounded off on the Governor for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the sunshine state, but Governor DeSantis maintains that his oversight has been effective, adding that "Florida has been working to procure the new treatment for our hospitals and has also made plans to assist in the distribution of a safe and effective vaccine, which we believe will be delivered relatively soon.”
